2025 Annual Report

God is moving in powerful ways at Avenue South. Since moving into 901 Acklen, the campus has welcomed more than 400 first-time guests, including 478 in the past year alone. On Christmas Eve 2024, Avenue South hosted its largest gathering ever with 571 worshipers, and over the course of the year, 80 new members joined the church family.

What began with a torn ACL became the start of a spiritual renewal that led Anna Colamarino from Ave South to Guatemala. After recommitting her life to Christ in 2024, Anna plugged into community, grew in faith, and eventually felt God open the door for her to join a mission team serving through medical clinics. There she met Angelo, an 8-year-old boy who loved to draw God but didn’t yet know His story. Through a translator, Anna shared the gospel with him—a moment she recognized as the fruit of her obedience to follow Jesus over the past year and a half. For Anna, the trip was a joyful confirmation that God is at work in her life and is calling her to a personal ministry of making disciples.

Last Thanksgiving, Avenue South put God’s love into action by serving families at Waverly Belmont School, right in our neighborhood. Through a churchwide food drive, we provided 25 families with a week’s worth of groceries, frozen turkeys, and fun items for children, easing the strain of school break. Delivering these boxes was more than meeting physical needs—it was a chance to share Christ’s love, build relationships, and open doors for ongoing ministry with our neighbors.

One sister in Christ shared how a difficult year led her to fully surrender to Jesus. Though baptized as a baby, she chose adult baptism to declare her trust in God’s presence amid the storm. Her story is part of a powerful movement at Avenue South, where adults from different backgrounds are stepping forward in obedience to Christ.

Another believer reflected on the people God placed in her life—family, friends, mentors, and her husband—whose consistent love and faithfulness helped her move from knowing about Jesus to living for Him. Her baptism was not just a personal milestone but a public celebration of how the Holy Spirit is transforming lives in our church family.

A brother in Christ who was raised in a tradition of infant baptism described how deeper study and spiritual growth brought him to conviction. After years of faithfully serving and encouraging others, he chose to respond to the call in Acts 22:16: “What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized.” His story reflects the Spirit’s renewing work at Avenue South and the beauty of lives fully surrendered to Christ.

The Franklins, former global workers, found a spiritual home at The Church at Harpeth Heights during a season back in the States, where they were encouraged and equipped to follow God’s next call. Harpeth Heights later had the privilege of sending them out again, and that community continues to support them through prayer and ongoing connection. In 2026, a team will travel to encourage them in person—a reminder of how community and mission work together to make disciples here and around the world.

On April 19, The Church at Harpeth Heights hosted its first-ever Easter Eggstravaganza, drawing more than 350 people to our back parking lot for a day of fun and community. With egg hunts, inflatables, live bunnies, and food, the event created opportunities to connect with friends, neighbors, and families across generations. The Eggstravaganza was a joyful expression of our mission to share the whole gospel with the whole person—and we look forward to continuing this tradition as a way to engage our neighborhood with Christ’s love.

This year, God has done a powerful work in the women’s ministry at The Church at Harpeth Heights through the launch of Flourish, a yearlong mentoring program. Ninety women across generations formed 17 groups to engage in Scripture, discipleship, and community. Many have found healing, encouragement, and deeper faith—one participant shared, “I could not have made it through without my Flourish group.” We praise God for the way He is growing women in faith, accountability, and leadership through this ministry.

Sometimes ministry happens over a cup of coffee. One Sunday at Surefire, the new coffee trailer in our church parking lot, a member struck up a conversation with a guest who had arrived on his bike. Over coffee and a sandwich, the guest shared about his struggles, and the member shared the hope he had found in Jesus. That simple act of hospitality led the guest to attend worship—and he has continued to return, finding a home and safe place at Harpeth Heights.

In February, we hosted two Gospel Training sessions on Wednesday nights—and the impact was immediate. One student, Luca, attended the training and the very next day shared Jesus with a friend at school. His mom reflected, “I don’t know that he would have recognized the opportunity or had the courage to step into it if he hadn’t just been at the training the night before.” Since then, Luca has continued having meaningful gospel conversations with his friends, a reminder of how equipping just one student can ripple into real-life impact.

In 2025, Will Holls experienced a gentle yet profound transformation through the power of the gospel and authentic community. Once quiet about his faith, Will joined a men’s small group in January where he found encouragement, honest conversation, and a deeper love for God’s Word. As his confidence in Christ grew, he shared his testimony with the entire congregation, led his family on a mission journey to Salt Lake City, and began serving joyfully on a Sunday morning team. Will’s story is a powerful reminder of how small steps of faith and supportive community can reshape lives.

This summer, Lockeland hosted its first-ever Vacation Bible School, welcoming more than 30 children from preschool through 5th grade—over half of whom were guests from outside our church. The impact was immediate. One parent shared that after the first day, her kindergartener Benjamin came home saying, “I know this sounds crazy, but they made the whole church just for kids!” VBS was not only a joyful week for children but also a powerful opportunity to reach new families in the community.

In 2025, one Lockeland family dedicated their year to hosting monthly meals that bring church members and neighbors together. By year’s end, they will have opened their home for eight gatherings, each with an intentional mix of Lockeland members and community neighbors. These meals have sparked countless conversations, fostered new relationships, and created meaningful connections with people who might never step into a church building.

God is doing a new thing at The Church at Woodbine! This year, we celebrated 10 baptisms—ranging from children to adults—as lives were transformed by the gospel. Among them were Adam and Kayla Cottingim, who chose to be baptized just one day after bringing home their premature son, as well as three siblings who responded together on a Baptism Sunday. These stories are a glimpse of the exciting season God is leading us into as a church family.

The Student Ministry continued to experience remarkable growth in 2025—both in weekly discipleship and in major events. Wednesday night LifeGroups grew by 25% in unique participants, with 16 new leaders stepping in to serve. Students responded with record-breaking engagement at events like Fall Retreat (up 60 signups) and Beach Camp (up 90 signups). Even more exciting, this momentum has led to numerous student baptisms and students stepping into leadership roles among their peers. It is clear that God is powerfully at work through our church to raise up the next generation of Christ-followers!

Over the past four years, our Preschool Ministry has been laying a strong foundation of biblical literacy through tools like the Gospel Cube. What began in large group worship has now expanded into small groups, helping children see how every story points to Jesus. This intentional discipleship is bearing fruit: many of our kindergartners have already made decisions for Christ, with several following through in baptism. We celebrate how God is moving in the hearts of our youngest generation!

Over the past year, our Embrace Special Needs Ministry has been actively serving the community through hands-on mission projects. Participants prepared over 100 frozen meals for families in need, stuffed more than 2,000 Easter eggs for outreach, and packed over 600 Operation Christmas Child boxes. These projects not only blessed others but also empowered our participants to make a meaningful impact through acts of service.

Jeremy Mott’s story shows the power of our church family working together. First connected to Brentwood through a children’s home, Jeremy came to Christ at Fall Retreat in 2022 through his Student LifeGroup leader, Jared Mott—who, along with his wife Alicia, later adopted Jeremy and his sister. Supported by the Foster and Adoption Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and Student Ministry, Jeremy has continued to grow in faith.

This summer, he took a major step forward—embracing leadership, sharing his story, and even leading a friend toward baptism. Now applying to join our Student Leadership Team, Jeremy is living proof of how God transforms lives through the love of Christ and the support of His people.

This year has been full of growth and impact across ministries. Men’s Ministry saw hundreds engage—400 at the Better Event, 300 at the Father/Son Event, 150 stepping into groups, and 220 at the Men’s Midweek Launch. A Brentwood Christmas once again welcomed our community, helping families connect with our church in new ways. Across all nine campuses, more than 4,300 people participated in Vacation Bible School, raising over $56,000 for missions. And in a unique collaboration, Next Gen and Missions partnered to create prayer guides and interactive resources for kids to engage during the Global Worker Gathering. Together, these moments reflect how God is moving in powerful ways across generations and ministries.

This year, our 5th Grade Leadership Team received intentional training in how to share the gospel using the Three Circles. The students eagerly practiced telling their stories and explaining how the gospel changes lives. On their Mission Journey, one student even gave a clear presentation of the gospel to a group of kids—sharing how Christ had transformed her own life. Moments like these remind us that God is already raising up the next generation of disciple-makers.

Deaf Camp continues to grow into a unique, nationwide ministry. Families traveled from across the country—including Ohio, Texas, Delaware, and even California—to give their Deaf children the rare opportunity to attend a faith-based camp in their heart language of ASL. This year’s camp not only served Deaf children but also included hearing siblings, while parents participated in workshops and fellowship through a partnership with Deaf Kids Connect. The impact was so profound that families are already inviting others to join next summer. Looking ahead, Deaf Camp USA will return in June 2026, and we are excited to launch Deaf Camp California next March in Riverside.

This spring, Megan Ganschow completed the TNT class at Brentwood, where she felt called to launch a mother/daughter Bible study for elementary-age girls. With a heart for discipling the next generation and equipping parents, Megan stepped out in faith—and the response was overwhelming. After a single email invitation, 71 moms and daughters signed up for the fall kickoff. The enthusiasm is so strong that plans are already underway to launch a dads-and-sons group in the spring.

During Loco Nolo, our Nolensville campus hosted a FAM Respite Week, welcoming around 34 kids from birth through 5th grade while giving their parents a much-needed break. For four days, families enjoyed three hours each morning of rest and renewal—so impactful that one mom even organized a moms-only pool party during the week. Parents shared how meaningful the time was, with one saying she hardly recognized herself in the mirror after receiving so much rest. Most importantly, one child gave their life to Christ, reminding us of the eternal impact of this ministry.

Station Hill’s 15th Anniversary was more than a milestone—it was a family reunion celebrating God’s faithfulness. Nearly 1,000 people gathered to honor the past, rejoice in the present, and look with anticipation to the future. Founding pastor Jay Strother reflected on the early days, John Joseph shared where God is leading us next, and video greetings from former staff serving around the world reminded us how ministry has multiplied from this place. The night was filled with worship, stories of God’s goodness, and plenty of food—thanks to 15 dads who showed up with grills—before ending with a giant family photo that captured the joy, gratitude, and hope of 15 years of God’s work through Station Hill.

In 2025, our church family continued to gather for Selah—special services designed to pause, pray, and praise the Lord together. In January, Selah: Testimony featured six members who vulnerably shared how God has worked in their lives, strengthening our faith as a church. Then in July, Selah: Hymns drew a standing-room-only crowd as we lifted our voices to the great hymns of our faith before ending the evening with pie, ice cream, and joyful fellowship.

This summer, we celebrated the baptism of Cloey, the first adult from our Embrace Ministry to be baptized at Station Hill. Though her parents are not believers, they encouraged her to join Embrace to find community with others who understand her challenges. Through that group, Cloey found friendship, belonging, and ultimately the hope of the gospel. After placing her faith in Jesus Christ, she shared her testimony in her own words before being baptized in front of her friends, her parents, and her church family. Cloey’s story is a powerful reminder of how God works through community to change lives.

We gave away more than 50 Bibles to new believers and first-time guests exploring faith—so many that we added a new budget line just to keep restocking! Each Bible represents a story, a step of faith, and a seed planted. One young woman attended church for the very first time on Easter Sunday, received her own Bible, and is now reading it regularly with the friend who invited her. What a joy to see God’s Word taking root in people’s lives.

What began with a simple act of yard work has grown into a powerful story of God’s redemption at Station Hill. When a LifeGroup offered to help a neighbor in a wheelchair, it opened a door that faithful prayers alone had not. Months later, in the midst of a breaking marriage, that same couple walked into church for the first time—and the husband responded to the gospel during Pastor John’s message. Since then, conversations, prayer, and counseling have followed, not only for this family but for others who have come forward seeking hope for their marriages. God is using ordinary acts of service and faithful prayer to bring healing and salvation in our community.

This year, our ministry to foster families experienced significant growth. Several families in our church said “yes” to fostering, and we began forming Wrap Teams to meet their tangible needs. When Pastor John shared a need for laundry care during a Sunday message, the response was overwhelming—ten people signed up immediately, not only to do laundry but also to provide meals. That response was so strong it allowed us to launch another Wrap Team to support an Embrace family. The Holy Spirit is clearly at work, moving our congregation to care for foster and special needs families in practical, Christlike ways.

This year, The Church at Station Hill has expanded its use of CarePortal to meet practical needs both within our congregation and in the community. From providing beds, clothes, and appliances for foster and single-parent families to covering lawn care and helping a teen attend her ROTC ball, each request has been an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. God is using CarePortal to bring hope and build relationships in powerful ways.

The Church at West End walked through a major renovation season this year, requiring our entire congregation to relocate for several months. From October 2024 through April 2025, we worshiped at Riverside Elementary while volunteers faithfully handled weekly setup and teardown, transported equipment, retooled Next Gen ministries, and even cared for school staff with weekly gifts. Lay leaders oversaw the massive effort of organizing, storing, and moving everything from pews to pulpit.

Though challenging, this season strengthened our church family. New volunteers stepped into service, relationships were built, and attendance actually grew—from 250 to over 300 weekly. The renovation was more than a facility project; it was a reminder that God works through every transition to grow His people and His church.

Rick Elsey faithfully served as pastor of West End Baptist Church for 15 years and was instrumental in guiding the congregation through its merger with Brentwood Baptist to become The Church at West End. After announcing his retirement in 2025, Rick suffered a massive stroke in February that left him unable to walk, speak, or swallow—but by God’s grace he has made remarkable progress. Though his retirement came sooner than expected, Rick and his wife, Sherry, remain deeply involved at West End, continuing to attend, encourage the staff, and serve where they can. His story is a powerful testimony of perseverance, faith, and God’s sustaining hope.

In 2025, The Church at West End hosted its first-ever Vacation Bible School—and God moved in powerful ways. After weeks of preparation, 106 volunteers stepped up to serve, welcoming 92 children (many from outside our church) for a week of fun, learning, and gospel truth. By the end of the week, we celebrated five professions of faith and raised more than $2,000 for missions. This incredible response has energized our church family, and we look forward to inviting even more of our community to join us next year.

This year, The Church at West Franklin celebrated powerful kingdom impact through its partnership with The Oak Cottage for Women. Together, we launched a weekly Life Group, hosted Senior Connect events to raise funds and supplies, and celebrated three graduation ceremonies on our campus. Most exciting, one of the women and her husband have been baptized through this ministry this year – with another baptism already scheduled – showing the transforming work of the gospel in their lives.

Since last fall, more than 100 people at West Franklin have been trained to share the good news of Jesus through Gospel Conversations. These trainings are equipping our members to confidently talk about their faith in everyday life – at work, at school, and in their neighborhoods. Already, stories are emerging of members stepping out in boldness and planting gospel seeds in new relationships.

This summer we celebrated our largest Vacation Bible School since before Covid, with our campus overflowing with children and families. Each day, kids experienced engaging worship, Bible teaching, crafts, and games – all centered on the gospel. Dozens of gospel seeds were planted in young hearts, and families were connected with our church community in fresh ways.

This past year, more than half of all baptisms at West Franklin were adult baptisms. These stories represent men and women making life-changing decisions to follow Jesus and testify to God’s work in drawing people to Himself at every age and stage of life. This trend encourages our church family to keep praying, inviting, and sharing the gospel with boldness

The legacy of Bill and Creely Wilson continues to shape Brentwood Baptist. Bill Wilson, our first senior pastor, and his wife, Creely, poured their lives into this church. Even after their passing, their impact lives on—Bill and Creely included Brentwood Baptist in their estate plan, leaving a legacy gift to our church that will bless future generations.

This story reflects the generational faithfulness of the Wilson family and reminds us that past investment creates momentum for the future. It also opens the door for important conversations about stewardship, legacy giving, and how we can ensure the mission of Brentwood Baptist continues for years to come. As their son Bill Wilson, Jr. recently wrote, “Mom and Dad lived and breathed BBC, and were so proud of all the kingdom good that has come to be as part of that place. Our family continues to pray for and pull for you all in leadership there.”

The Wilsons’ example invites us to consider how we, too, might invest in kingdom work that outlives us.

God is at work through the generosity of our members. This year, one of our longtime members donated his family’s Honda Pilot with the hope it could bless someone in need. At the very same time, our benevolence team was walking with a woman in Nashville who had been relying on rideshares just to get to work. When she received the car, her daily challenges were transformed into stability and freedom. This simple act of stewardship became a powerful reminder of how God uses ordinary gifts to meet extraordinary needs.

The Multiplication Ministry exists to plant and strengthen local and national churches by encouraging, training, and partnering with them for greater gospel impact. Through strong relationships, we are seeing congregations grow healthier, communities transformed, and new churches planted. Together, we are reaching unchurched and unreached people here, there, and everywhere.

His Holy Hill Church (Murfreesboro, TN)
Led by Pastor Mo Obayomi, His Holy Hill is reaching the African and international community around MTSU. With new partnerships for staff development, strategic planning, and resourcing, the church has moved into a new facility and grown from 30 to over 100 people.

Real Life Fort Campbell
What began in 2017 as a partnership with Real Life Sango in Clarksville has now multiplied into a thriving new congregation near Ft. Campbell. Under Pastor Erik Maloy’s leadership and with support from Pastor Freddy Wyatt, Real Life Ft. Campbell has grown from 70 people to more than 240, expanding to two services to meet the needs of their community.

Grace Harbor Community Church (New Bedford, MA)
Pastor Morgan Proudfoot and Grace Harbor Community Church are addressing both spiritual and practical needs in an area deeply affected by economic decline. Renovating a new building to serve as both church and ministry center, they are providing job and life development training alongside gospel ministry—already bearing fruit in their community.

In January, we launched our first Bi-Vocational Residency with six participants. Four have already stepped into vital roles across our nine campuses, while two are serving at partner churches. Each resident contributes up to 10 hours of ministry each week, attends equipping sessions twice a month, completes readings and practical exercises, and meets regularly with a staff coach. This program is equipping leaders to serve faithfully in their current context while preparing them for long-term ministry impact.

We also began our ninth class of our full-time Ministry Residents who will spend the next 2 years with us.  Pictured here in the middle are Samuel Sarella, Rily Bishop, and Steven Burgos.”

In 2025, we hosted our first-ever Elevate Conference—a gathering designed to encourage, equip, and inspire church leaders for greater kingdom impact. Over 400 leaders from nearly 80 churches came together for a powerful day of worship, teaching, and connection. The response was overwhelmingly positive, as pastors and ministry leaders left encouraged, resourced, and ready to multiply healthy ministry in their own contexts. The success of this inaugural event has laid a strong foundation for Elevate to become a key part of how Brentwood Baptist invests in churches near and far.

Every three years, our church hosts the Global Worker Gathering—a time to worship, learn, and pour into those serving around the world. This year, 35 families came together for encouragement, equipping, and renewal. As part of the week, every campus hosted a Lunch and Learn with global workers, giving our congregations the opportunity to hear their stories, ask questions, and pray with them. It was a powerful reminder that while our global workers serve in far-reaching places, they are deeply connected to and supported by their Brentwood family.

God is at work through our global workers in remarkable ways. This year, one team celebrated the baptism of three former Muslim young men—an incredible answer to prayer and a powerful reminder of the Spirit’s work in hard-to-reach places. Another team gained unprecedented access to a state-run special needs facility after Brentwood funded new playground equipment. This breakthrough opened the door for ongoing partnership, creating opportunities to build relationships and share the love of Christ with vulnerable individuals and their families.